Laganas Kick Off Michigan Nitro Jam

MARTIN, Mich. — From an amazing Top Fuel final to an earth-shattering side-by-side jet truck run to close the evening, Friday’s Northern Nitro Jam opener at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park was one for the ages.

With the Lagana brothers attempting their quickest Top Fuel pass in history, younger brother Dom got the “Nitro Ninja” Top Fuel Dragster close with a 4.682-second pass at 317.15 mph, but there is still work to be done. And Dom will be swinging for the fences on Saturday in an attempt to reach the magical 5.50 second zone in the quarter-mile.

While Lagana took the win in Top Fuel, Mike Minick in the “Chi-Town Hustler” Prostalgia Nitro Funny Car had two tremendous passes to take the win in the popular Funny Car class, while Tracy Kile won Nitro Harley and Mike Hilsabeck claimed the Ironman in Fuel Altered Friday at the CarSafe Northern Nitro Jam presented by Perry Harley-Davidson at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park.

Lagana had two incredible passes Friday night, running a 4.715, 263.74 in round one before dipping into the 4.60s. In the final Bruce Litton gave Lagana all he could handle in the “Nitro Jam” Top Fuel machine, running an equally impressive 4.858, 291.46 in the runner-up effort.

Lagana will be trying for the team’s quickest-ever pass Saturday night at the same track where the brothers eclipsed so many benchmarks in the past.

In AMSOIL Prostalgia Nitro Funny Car Mike Minick continued his rampant pace in the “Chi-Town Hustler” Dodge Omni, running a 5.780, 250.48 in round one before backing it up with a 5.820, 246.39 to give the Justice, Illinois native his first career Nitro Jam Ironman. Mike McIntire took runner-up honors with a 6.112, 232.78 pass.

Mike Hilsabeck in the “Arizona Thunder” wrapped up Friday’s big winners with a close win over Ron Maroney. Hilsabeck had a 6.362, 209.13 pass to Maroney’s 6.426, 189.72, a difference of only .044 seconds at the stripe.

Tracy Kile had a de facto victory in Nitro Harley when final round opponent Jay Turner failed to make the call.

The side-by-side jet truck showdown between the “Shockwave” and “Super Shockwave” jet-powered semis brought the evening to a close with an amazing show of fire and an earth-shaking launch.